A GRANDMOTHER could be forced out of her home following a dispute over the leasehold.

Glenys Phillips, 86, of Ffaldau Terrace, Ferndale, may have to stump up more than £20,000 to buy the leasehold of her house, where she has lived for 60 years.

The leasehold of four properties, including Mrs Phillips’, was sold for just £6,350 three years ago.

Mrs Phillips claims to have received no notice of the sale and is now facing a massive bill.

The owners, Tacticall Radio Hire, claim the property is valued at £87,000 and are demanding 25%.

Two estate agents have estimated the value of the house between £50,000 and £55,000.

Mrs Phillips then made an offer of £13,000, which was refused.

She said: “I phoned my solicitor and since then it has all snowballed.

“It’s beginning to worry me. I have got a bit muddled with it all now.”

Glenys is now taking the matter to a tribunal over the way she has been treated.

Her solicitor Julia Richards said: “She was a widow for 20 years. Her husband had dealt many years ago with the purchase of the property.

“In fact she had lived in the property for 60 years. She had not realised she did not own the freehold.

“She is an elderly disabled widow and the court case is causing strain and having a detrimental affect on her health.

“It is a social injustice and a ticking timebomb below the feet of many elderly people – we would ask they check their deeds.”

The coal boom at the turn of the century meant that many properties had 99-year leases, of which many will expire in the next few years.

And there is currently no duty on landowners to inform householders when their leasehold is being sold.

Leanne Wood AM said: “I’m appalled at the way Mrs Phillips, who is a very elderly and vulnerable woman, is being treated and I have written to deputy minister for housing Jocelyn Davies because the law is lacking.

“It could take some time and I fear that any changes to the law are going to be too late for Mrs Phillips. I think the problem is with the law, which is why I’m taking steps to change that within the Assembly.”

Despite several attempts, Tacticall Radio Hire were unavailable for comment.